As the deity turns her attention to the others, I slowly get to my knees. I turn and realize I was thrown into the statue of the Cave Bear Goddess. No wonder it was a rough landing. I use it as a prop to pull myself up to my feet, then quickly close my eyes. I’m woozy from the impact, and I hold on tight to the icon. As the dizziness subsides, I stare at the likeness of the goddess.

That’s when it strikes me.

The Cave Bear Goddess statue is made of gold.

I run through the prophecy in my head once more:

When the blood moon and black sun appear to the gaze

To mark the start of the end of all days,

In the one last divine, a weapon shall rise;

Unless the gold-destroyer ends the soul who lies.

As the statue’s gilded eyes probe into my own, the last piece of the puzzle falls into place.

“Goddess, I might still be in the running for employee of the century, after all,” I say, my voice deeper and surer than it has ever been before. I walk up to her, rubble trembling under my feet, and I feel only strength, not fear. “I have found what you’re looking for.”

The goddess pauses her destruction to look at me.

Well? her eyes demand.

I look over at the cauldron and the pure power flowing from its black flames. The same power that flows from me.

And for the first time in my life, instead of being ashamed of my four inner fires, I embrace them. I let the embers drift down over me, become part of me. And as the licks of power engulf me, I allow myself to accept it, and accept myself.

Intertwined with these feelings is my love for both sets of parents, compassion for my sister, thankfulness for the companionship of my best friend, and gratitude for the unity of the Gom. I fuse it with my appreciation for the scholars’ bravery, the loyalty of the inmyeonjo, the support of my auntie, and the courage of my gifted friends.

I have never felt more at home than here, right now, among all my people. So, using that feeling, I form a colorful patchwork of the diverse mortals who make me who I am. And I burn fiercely with pride.

“Choose your next actions carefully,” the goddess warns as I take my final steps toward her.

The dokkaebi may have been evil, but he was right. I was indeed in possession of the Godrealm’s last fallen star. I’ve had it with me—in me—all along.

Because I am the weapon.

I am the gold-destroyer.

And I will end the soul who lies.

“It is I that you seek,” I declare proudly, and I have never been surer of anything in my life. “I am the Godrealm’s last fallen star.”